Wild Parsnip

Unfortunately, wild parsnip is abundant in Calumet County. This plant is being spread by seed along highway rights-of-ways and is moving onto adjacent private lands and fields. It is especially bad in some areas of the County. This invasive plant is a serious threat not only to our ecosystems, but to people who come in contact with it.

Caution! If sap from wild parsnip's leaves or stems gets on skin in the presence of sunlight, it can cause a severe, blistering burn that appears a day or two after exposure. Giant hogweed and cow parsnip cause a similar reaction, called phytophotodermatitis.

Depending on the habitat and growing conditions, individual flowering plants range from one to over four feet in height. Look for the large, coarse, flower spikes and yellow flowers from the first of June to the middle of July. It is best to mow this plant in late June, after the rosette sends up the flower spike and before it sets seed. Once the of wild parsnip population builds, as it already has in Calumet County, it spreads rapidly. This species is an aggressive Eurasian weed. For more information, visit http://dnr.wi.gov/invasives/fact/parsnip.htm